Health Insurance for your pregnancy

Washington State offers a few programs to help you pay for prenatal care. You are covered during your pregnancy and 60 days after you give birth.

The First Steps Program

First Steps is also known as Pregnancy Medicaid or the medical coupon and provides:

free prenatal medical, emergency dental, limited vision coverage and mental health benefits.  Learn about the First Steps Program and see if you qualify.

Washington Health Program

Washington Health is another option for affordable and reliable health insurance with fewer restrictions and low costs. Washington Health provides maternity related services such as routine office visits, immunizations, delivery and hospital care and more. Learn about maternity coverage through the Washington Health Program.

The Basic Health Program

The Basic Health Program helps eligible Washington State residents purchase low cost health insurance. Currently there is a waiting list for this program. Learn about the Basic Health Program.

Private Insurance

Private health insurance plans will also cover all or part of your pregnancy care. To learn more about private health insurance call the Washington State Insurance Commissioner at 1-800-562-6900.

If You Don’t Qualify

If you don’t qualify for the above health insurance programs, there are some other options.

Community Clinics

Some clinics provide medical care at reduced cost to you, called a sliding fee scale. These clinics provide good care, but the amount you pay may be less if you have less money coming in. To find a community clinic near you call the Family Health Hotline at 1-800-322-2588 or visit the Resource Finder.

Midwives

Consider choosing a midwife if you do not have health insurance. Having your baby with a midwife can significantly reduce your costs. If you have health insurance, most plans cover midwifery care, including Medicaid/DSHS, Group Health, Regence and other major insurers. To read more about midwives visit Midwives’ Association of Washington State.

Already Have Health Insurance?

If you already have health insurance, learn more about what questions to ask your insurance provider about your coverage.

Know What Your Health Insurance Covers

It is important to understand your health insurance plan so that you don’t end up with large medical bills. Call your health insurance provider to learn about your benefits for prenatal, labor and postpartum care.

Some questions to ask your health insurance provider:

• What are my maternity benefits? Do I have medical, dental and vision benefits?
• Does my health care provider and birth facility accept my health plan?
• What are my deductible and co-payment amounts for maternity care?
• Does my plan cover things related to pregnancy such as breast pumps, childbirth classes or doula care?
• Can I add my baby to my health care plan after they are born?
• Do I have coverage if my baby needs to stay in the hospital?

If you have health insurance, but do not have a provider for your prenatal care , contact your plan right away. It is important to start prenatal care as soon as possible.

Your health care plan should be able to give you a list of providers that are in your plans “network” (providers that accept your insurance). If you receive care from a provider that is not part of your plan’s network, you may not have coverage.